RINGSIDE POLITICS – MAY 6, 2021
Written by WGSO Producer on May 6, 2021
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere
Today’s Hot Topics:
1) Vice President Kamala Harris is facing a backlash after laughing when a reporter asked if she planned to visit the southern border amid the migrant crisis.
“Kamala Harris laughs at a reporter who asked her if she has plans to visit the border. Don’t believe this administration when they say they are serious about solving this crisis,” Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
“What exactly is funny about this?” progressive activist Jordan Uhl wrote on Twitter.
2) On top of a pandemic that took more than 25,000 lives, New York City endured a soul-crushing crime surge in 2020 — a 97% jump in shootings and a 45% surge in murders.
The NYPD released the sobering preliminary year-end stats Friday, eager to turn the page on a tally that recorded more shootings from mid-May through mid-September than in all of 2019.
When the ball fell in near-empty Times Square, the NYPD counted 462 murders across the city in 2020 — 143 more than in 2019.
3) Dr. Anthony Fauci defended the recent COVID-19 guidelines for summer camps issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but acknowledged on TODAY they are “a bit stringent” as kids get set to return to summer activities during the pandemic.
The CDC’s most recent summer camp guidance calls for masks to be worn at all times, even outdoors and by vaccinated adults and children as young as 2, while also recommending kids remain 3 feet apart. The only mask exceptions are for eating and swimming, and 6 feet of distance between staff and campers is recommended during meals.
Given the CDC has also said this month that fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks outdoors at all unless it’s in crowded places and that all adults don’t have to wear one outside if they’re walking, running or biking alone, Fauci, the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, was asked by Savannah Guthrie on TODAY Wednesday if the summer camp rules are excessive.
4) The Biden administration appears to be satisfied with Facebook’s decision to extend its ban on President Trump’s account. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Wednesday, Facebook’s decision to uphold the ban was legitimate.
She claimed the decision was made by an “independent” board, although it’s comprised of prominent far-left activists and political operatives. This came after President Trump launched his new communications platform: From the Desk of Donald J. Trump.
When asked about the 45th President’s latest initiative, Psaki refused to comment.
“Well look, I think we are of course a believer in First Amendment rights,” Psaki said. “I think decisions…that the social media platforms need to make is how they address the disinformation, misinformation, especially related to life-threatening issues like COVID-19 and vaccinations, that continue to proliferate on their platforms.”
For his part, President Trump said Facebook and the rest of Big Tech have repeatedly violated the First Amendment.
Today’s Guests:
1) Col. Allen West, Chairman of the Texas Republican Party – calls in the state of affairs in the Republican Party and the nation as a whole.
2) Kevin McGary; Chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of California
3) LA State Rep. Chuck Owen
4) Steve Konos, Ringside Politics Creative Director; Ringside Politics Parody of the Week – joins the show to share and discuss his weekly political parody.
5) Josh Bernstein, Ringside All-Star – joins the show to opine with callers and discuss the events of the week.